Card locating tool

ABSTRACT

A memory stores a list of identifiers. A processor receives a notification from a card user indicating that the card user is missing a card. The card includes a transmitter configured to broadcast a transmission including a card identifier. The processor adds the card identifier to the list of identifiers. The processor receives messages from mobile devices that received the transmission, including the card identifier from the transmission and locations of the mobile devices. In response to receiving the messages, the processor determines that the list of identifiers contains the card identifier. The processor further determines, based on the locations of the mobile devices, a location of the card and sends the location of the card to a mobile device of the card user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/287,741 filed Feb. 27, 2019, by Graham Marshall Wyllie et al., andentitled “Card Locating Tool,” which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to locating lost property, inparticular, lost payment cards, access cards and/or identificationcards.

BACKGROUND

The average individual carries numerous cards in his/her wallet orpurse. Examples of such cards include: (1) cards that contain personal,identifying information, such as a driver's license, social securitycard, or health care card; (2) cards that provide access to theindividual's payment accounts, such as credit and debit cards; and (3)cards that provide building access, such as an apartment key card. Eventhough such cards are likely highly valuable to the individuals who holdthem, due to their small size, they are easily lost or misplaced.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The average individual carries numerous cards in his/her wallet orpurse. Examples of such cards include: (1) cards that contain personal,identifying information, such as a driver's license, social securitycard, or health care card; (2) cards that provide access to theindividual's payment accounts, such as credit and debit cards; and (3)cards that provide building access, such as an apartment key card. Eventhough such cards are likely highly valuable to the individuals who holdthem, due to their small size, they are easily lost or misplaced.

When a card is lost, an individual can do little more than search for it(by retracing his or her steps) or wait and hope that a good Samaritanwill find it and return it. If the individual does not locate the cardwithin a relatively short period of time, he/she will likely need totake further action, such as contacting the card issuer, cancelling thecard, and/or requesting a replacement card. In the case of anidentification card or payment card, an individual may need to takeadditional actions to protect himself/herself from fraud and/or identitytheft, such as monitoring his/her payment account statements for unusualcharges and/or contacting credit rating agencies and requesting thatthey inform the individual if any new applications for credit areattempted using his/her information.

This disclosure contemplates a card locating tool that addresses one ormore of the above issues. In combination with cards equipped to transmitan identifier, the tool uses the mobile devices that people nowroutinely carry to assist in searching for missing cards. When a userloses a registered card, he/she can send a notification to the cardlocating tool, which then adds the card's identifier to a list ofmissing cards. When phones nearby to the missing card receive thetransmission broadcasted by the missing card and containing itsidentifier, they send this identifier along with their globalpositioning system (GPS) location to the tool. Using the GPS locationsit receives, the card locating tool determines a location or range oflocations for the missing card, which it sends to the user. In thismanner, certain embodiments enable a user to locate a missing card.Certain embodiments of the card locating tool are described below.

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a memory and ahardware processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The memorystores a list of identifiers. The processor receives a notification froma card user. The notification indicates that the card user is missing acard. The card includes a transmitter configured to broadcast atransmission including a card identifier. The processor additionallyadds the card identifier to the list of identifiers. The processorfurther receives a first message from a first mobile device thatreceived the transmission. The first message includes the cardidentifier from the transmission and a first location of the firstmobile device. The processor further receives a second message from asecond mobile device that received the transmission. The second messageincludes the card identifier from the transmission and a second locationof the second mobile device. The processor further receives a thirdmessage from a third mobile device that received the transmission. Thethird message includes the card identifier from the transmission and athird location of the third mobile device. In response to receiving thefirst message, the second message, and the third message, the processordetermines that the list of identifiers contains the card identifier.The processor further determines, based on the first location, thesecond location, and the third location, a location of the card. Theprocessor additionally sends the location of the card to a fourth mobiledevice of the card user.

According to another embodiment, a method includes receiving anotification from a card user. The notification indicates that the carduser is missing a card. The card includes a transmitter configured tobroadcast a transmission including a card identifier. The method furtherincludes adding the card identifier to a list of identifiers stored in amemory. The method also includes receiving a first message from a firstmobile device that received the transmission. The first message includesthe card identifier from the transmission and a first location of thefirst mobile device. The method also includes receiving a second messagefrom a second mobile device that received the transmission. The secondmessage includes the card identifier from the transmission and a secondlocation of the second mobile device. The method further includesreceiving a third message from a third mobile device that received thetransmission. The third message includes the card identifier from thetransmission and a third location of the third mobile device. Inresponse to receiving the first message, the second message, and thethird message the method also includes determining that the list ofidentifiers contains the card identifier. The method further includesdetermining, based on the first location, the second location, and thethird location, a location of the card, and sending the location of thecard to a fourth mobile device of the card user.

According to a further embodiment, a system includes a storage elementand a processing element communicatively coupled to the storage element.The storage element is operable to store a list of identifiers. Theprocessing element is operable to receive a notification from a carduser. The notification indicates that the card user is missing a card.The card includes a transmitter configured to broadcast a transmissionincluding a card identifier. The processing element is further operableto add the card identifier to the list of identifiers. The processingelement is also operable to receive a first message from a first mobiledevice that received the transmission. The first message includes thecard identifier from the transmission, a first strength of thetransmission, and a first location of the first mobile device. Theprocessing element is further operable to receive a second message froma second mobile device that received the transmission. The secondmessage includes the card identifier from the transmission, a secondstrength of the transmission, and a second location of the second mobiledevice. The processing element is additionally operable to receive athird message from a third mobile device that received the transmission.The third message includes the card identifier from the transmission, athird strength of the transmission, and a third location of the thirdmobile device. In response to receiving the first message, the secondmessage, and the third message, the processing element is operable todetermine that the list of identifiers contains the card identifier. Theprocessing element is further operable to determine, based on the firstlocation, the second location, the third location, the first strength,the second strength, and the third strength, a location of the card. Theprocessing element is additionally operable to send the location of thecard to a fourth mobile device of the card user.

Certain embodiments provide one or more technical advantages. Forexample, an embodiment enables a user to locate a missing card. Asanother example, an embodiment prevents fraud by protecting anindividual from identity theft resulting from a lost identificationcard. As a further example, an embodiment enhances the security of auser's accounts, associated with payment cards he/she carries. Certainembodiments may include none, some, or all of the above technicaladvantages. One or more other technical advantages may be readilyapparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, andclaims included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the methods by which the missing card locatorcomponent of the card locating tool in the system of FIG. 1 determines amissing card location using GPS locations from three mobile devices.

FIG. 3 presents a flowchart illustrating the process by which the cardlocating tool in the system of FIG. 1 locates a missing card.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the method by which a missing card in thesystem of FIG. 1 produces a transmission containing an identifierassigned to the card.

FIG. 5 presents a flowchart illustrating the process by which the cardlocating tool in the system of FIG. 1 is able to request and receiveassistance in locating a missing card from a mobile device near themissing card.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure and its advantages are bestunderstood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, likenumerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the variousdrawings.

The average individual carries numerous cards in his/her wallet orpurse. Examples of such cards include: (1) cards that contain personal,identifying information, such as a driver's license, social securitycard, or health care card; (2) cards that provide access to theindividual's payment accounts, such as credit and debit cards; and (3)cards that provide building access, such as an apartment key card. Eventhough such cards are likely highly valuable to the individuals who holdthem, due to their small size, they are easily lost or misplaced.

When a card is lost, an individual can do little more than search for it(by retracing his or her steps) or wait and hope that a good Samaritanwill find it and return it. If the individual does not locate the cardwithin a relatively short period of time, he/she will likely need totake further action, such as contacting the card issuer, cancelling thecard, and/or requesting a replacement card. In the case of anidentification card or payment card, an individual may need to takeadditional actions to protect himself/herself from fraud and/or identitytheft, such as monitoring his/her payment account statements for unusualcharges and/or contacting credit rating agencies and requesting thatthey inform the individual if any new applications for credit areattempted using his/her information.

This disclosure contemplates a card locating tool that addresses one ormore of the above issues. In combination with cards equipped to transmitan identifier, the tool uses the mobile devices that people nowroutinely carry to assist in searching for missing cards. When a userloses a registered card, he/she can send a notification to the cardlocating tool, which then adds the card's identifier to a list ofmissing cards. When phones nearby to the missing card receive thetransmission broadcasted by the missing card and containing itsidentifier, they send this identifier along with their globalpositioning system (GPS) location to the tool. Using the GPS locationsit receives, the card locating tool determines a location or range oflocations for the missing card, which it sends to the user. In thismanner, certain embodiments enable a user to locate a missing card. Thecard locating tool will be described in more detail using FIGS. 1through 5.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100. As seen in FIG. 1, system 100includes one or more first mobile devices 120A, one or more secondmobile devices 120B, one or more third mobile devices 120C, one or morefourth mobile devices 115, a network 125, one or more missing cards 155,and a card locating tool 130. Generally, card locating tool 130 receivesa notification 150 from card user 105 indicating that card user 105 haslost/misplaced his/her card 155. Missing card 155 is equipped with atransmitter 155A, which broadcasts a transmission 155B containing a cardidentifier assigned to card 155. Card locating tool 130 then adds theidentifier assigned to card 155 to a list of missing cards. Cardlocating tool 130 then receives messages from enabled mobile devicesthat have received transmission 155B from missing card 155, where themessages include both the card identifier and the GPS location of theenabled mobile devices. Card locating tool 130 then uses the GPSlocations to determine a location/range of locations for missing card155, which card locating tool 130 sends to fourth mobile device 115belonging to card user 105.

First mobile device 120A, second mobile device 120B, and third mobiledevice 120C are enabled mobile devices that can receive transmissions155B from missing cards 155 containing card identifiers. For example,first mobile device 120A, second mobile device 120B, and third mobiledevice 120C may contain software designed to enable the devices torecognize and receive transmissions 155, and to extract the identifiersfrom transmissions 155. In certain embodiments, such software may takethe form of a mobile application. Once first mobile device 120A, secondmobile device 120B, and third mobile device 120C receive a transmission155 containing an identifier, they are also able to transmit their GPSlocations along with this identifier to card locating tool 130 overnetwork 125.

Fourth mobile device 115 is used by card user 105 to send a notification150 to card locating tool 130 indicating that user 105 cannot locatecard 155. Fourth mobile device 115 is also used to receive anotification 185 from card locating tool 130 containing a location/rangeof locations for missing card 155.

First mobile device 120A, second mobile device 120B, third mobile device120C, and fourth mobile device 115 include any appropriate device forcommunicating with components of system 100 over network 125. Forexample, first mobile device 120A, second mobile device 120B, thirdmobile device 120C, and fourth mobile device 115 may be a mobile phone,a laptop, a tablet, and/or an automated assistant. This disclosurecontemplates first mobile device 120A, second mobile device 120B, thirdmobile device 120C, and fourth mobile device 115 being any appropriateportable device for sending and receiving communications over network125. As an example, and not by way of limitation, first mobile device120A, second mobile device 120B, third mobile device 120C, and fourthmobile device 115 may be a laptop, a wireless or cellular telephone, anelectronic notebook, a personal digital assistant, a tablet, or anyother device capable of receiving, processing, storing, and/orcommunicating information with other components of system 100. Firstmobile device 120A, second mobile device 120B, third mobile device 120C,and/or fourth mobile device 115 may also include a user interface, suchas a display, a microphone, keypad, or other appropriate terminalequipment usable by card user 105, first user 110A, second user 110B,and/or third user 110C. In some embodiments, an application executed byfirst mobile device 120A, second mobile device 120B, third mobile device120C and/or fourth mobile device 115 may perform the functions describedherein.

Network 125 facilitates communication between and amongst the variouscomponents of system 100. This disclosure contemplates network 125 beingany suitable network operable to facilitate communication between thecomponents of system 100. Network 125 may include any interconnectingsystem capable of transmitting audio, video, signals, data, messages, orany combination of the preceding. Network 125 may include all or aportion of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a public orprivate data network, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan areanetwork (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a local, regional, or globalcommunication or computer network, such as the Internet, a wireline orwireless network, an enterprise intranet, or any other suitablecommunication link, including combinations thereof, operable tofacilitate communication between the components.

Missing card 155 is equipped with a transmitter 155A capable ofbroadcasting a transmission 155B consisting of a card identifierassigned to card 155. This disclosure contemplates that transmitter 155Acan be any type of electronic device, equipped with an antenna, andcapable of generating transmission 155B. In certain embodiments,transmitter 155A is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) transmitter.In further embodiments, transmitter 155A is a Bluetooth transmitter. Incertain embodiments, transmitter 155B is a passive transmitter, poweredby electromagnetic waves generated externally of the transmitter. Suchembodiments are described in further detail below, in the discussion ofFIGS. 4A and 4B. In further embodiments, transmitter 155B is an activetransmitter, powered by a power source within or coupled to transmitter155B, such than transmitter 155B can produce transmission 155Aautomatically.

As seen in FIG. 1, card locating tool 130 includes a processor 135 and amemory 140. This disclosure contemplates processor 135 and memory 140being configured to perform any of the functions of card locating tool130 described herein. Generally, card locating tool 130 performs missingcard identification 175, in which it determines that card identifier 165contained in first message 160A received from first mobile device 120A,second message 160B received from second mobile device 120B, and thirdmessage 160C received from third mobile device 120C, is among the cardidentifiers in the list of missing card identifiers 145 stored in memory140, and determines a location/range of locations for missing card 155using missing card locator component 180.

In certain embodiments, card locating tool 130 transmits those cardidentifiers stored in the list of missing card identifiers 145 toenabled mobile devices including first mobile device 120A, second mobiledevice 120B, and third mobile device 120C. In such embodiments, whencard locating tool 130 receives first message 160A, second message 160B,and third message 160C, each containing card identifier 165, cardlocating tool 130 performs missing card identification 175 to determineto which missing card identifier, stored in the list of missing cardidentifiers 145, card identifier 165 corresponds. By determining towhich missing card identifier, stored in the list of missing cardidentifiers 145, card identifier 165 corresponds, card locating tool 130is able to determine the card user 105 for whom missing card 155 hasbeen located.

In certain embodiments, card locating tool 130 only transmits thosemissing card identifiers, stored in the list of missing card identifiers145, to those enabled mobile devices, including first mobile device120A, second mobile device 120B, and third mobile device 120C, that arelocated in the same geographic region as card user 105 was located whenhe/she lost his/her card 155. In certain such embodiments, card locatingtool 130 may increase the size of this geographic region if no enabledmobile devices located within the initial geographic region receivetransmission 155B from missing card 155 within a set period of time. Forexample, the initial geographic region may consist of a circular regionof radius one mile from where card user 105 lost his/her card 155. If noenabled mobile devices, such as first mobile device 120A, second mobiledevice 120B, and/or third mobile device 120C, located within thisregion, are able to detect transmission 155B from missing card 155within fifteen minutes, card locating tool may additionally send theidentifier assigned to missing card 155 to all enabled mobile deviceslocated within the same city as user 105 was located when user 105 losthis/her card 155. This may be desirable as it helps to conserve systemresources, by only sending missing card identifiers to those mobiledevices that are most likely within the transmission range of missingcard 155.

In further embodiments, first mobile device 120A transmits first message160A to card locating tool 130 any time first mobile device 120Areceives a transmission 155B from a card 155. Similarly, second mobiledevice 120B transmits second message 160B to card locating tool 130 anytime second mobile device 120B receives a transmission 155B from a card155, and third mobile device 120C transmits third message 160C to cardlocating tool 130 any time third mobile device 120C receives atransmission 155B from a card 155. In such embodiments, first message160A, second message 160B, and third message 160C may contain cardidentifiers 165 assigned to cards 155 which have not been identified bycard users 105 as missing. Therefore, in such embodiments, card locatingtool 130 performs missing card identification 175 to determine if cardidentifier 165 corresponds to a missing card 155. If missing cardidentification 175 determines that card identifier 165 does notcorrespond to a missing card 155, missing card locator component 180 isnot invoked. Transmitting messages to card locating tool 130 any time anenabled mobile device receives a transmission 155B from a card 155 maybe desirable if card locating tool 130 is further configured to storesuch messages in memory 140 (or, alternatively, in an externaldatabase). Then, when a user 105 sends a lost card notification 150 tocard locating tool 130, card locating tool 130 can search memory 140 todetermine the last known location of missing card 155. This last knownlocation can then be sent to card user 105. In order to save storageresources, in certain such embodiments, card locating tool 130periodically purges the messages it has received from enabled mobiledevices and has stored in memory 140 (or alternatively in an externaldatabase).

Processor 135 is any electronic circuitry, including, but not limited tomicroprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC),application specific instruction set processor (ASIP), and/or statemachines, that communicatively couples to memory 140 and controls theoperation of card locating tool 130. Processor 135 may be 8-bit, 16-bit,32-bit, 64-bit or of any other suitable architecture. Processor 135 mayinclude an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) for performing arithmetic andlogic operations, processor registers that supply operands to the ALUand store the results of ALU operations, and a control unit that fetchesinstructions from memory and executes them by directing the coordinatedoperations of the ALU, registers and other components. Processor 135 mayinclude other hardware and software that operates to control and processinformation. Processor 135 executes software stored on memory to performany of the functions described herein. Processor 135 controls theoperation and administration of card locating tool 130 by processinginformation received from network 125, first mobile device(s) 120A,second mobile device(s) 120B, third mobile device(s) 120C, fourth mobiledevice(s) 115, and memory 140. Processor 135 may be a programmable logicdevice, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, any suitable processingdevice, or any suitable combination of the preceding. Processor 135 isnot limited to a single processing device and may encompass multipleprocessing devices.

Memory 140 may store, either permanently or temporarily, data,operational software, or other information for processor 135. Memory 140may include any one or a combination of volatile or non-volatile localor remote devices suitable for storing information. For example, memory140 may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, or any other suitableinformation storage device or a combination of these devices. Thesoftware represents any suitable set of instructions, logic, or codeembodied in a computer-readable storage medium. For example, thesoftware may be embodied in memory 140, a disk, a CD, or a flash drive.In particular embodiments, the software may include an applicationexecutable by processor 135 to perform one or more of the functionsdescribed herein.

Memory 140 also stores a list of identifiers 145 containing those cardidentifiers assigned to cards 155 that card users 105 have identified tocard locating tool 130 as missing. In certain embodiments, for eachidentifier in the list of identifiers 145 memory 140 also stores theidentity of card user 105. In further embodiments, memory 140 alsostores a list of all card users 105 and the identifiers associated withtheir cards 155. In both cases, using this information, card locatingtool 130 can look up to which card user 105 missing card 155 belongs.

By using the mobile devices that people now routinely carry, in certainembodiments, card locating tool 130 is able to locate missing cards 155,equipped with transmitters 155A capable of broadcasting identifiers 165.When a user loses a registered card 155, he/she can send a notification150 to card locating tool 130, which then adds the card's identifier 165to a list of missing cards 145. When nearby phones receive the missingcard's transmission containing its identifier 165, they send theirglobal positioning system (GPS) locations to card locating tool 130,along with the identifier 165. Using the GPS locations it receives, cardlocating tool 130 determines a location or range of locations for themissing card 155, which it sends to the card user 105. In this manner,certain embodiments enable a card user 105 to locate a missing card 155.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the methods by which missing cardidentification component 175 of card locating tool 130 determines alocation 210 or range of locations 205 for missing card 155.

FIG. 2A illustrates the method for a system 100 in which first message160A sent to card locating tool 130 from first mobile device 120A,second message 160B sent to card locating tool 130 from second mobiledevice 120B, and third message 160C sent to card locating tool 130 fromthird mobile device 120C, contain card identifier 165 and GPS locations(first location 170A for first mobile device 120A, second location 170Bfor second mobile device 120B, and third location 170C for third mobiledevice 120C), but not strengths of transmission 155B received by themobile devices at their locations. Without knowledge of the strengths oftransmission 155B received by the mobile devices at their locations,card locating tool 130 likely cannot determine a precise location formissing card 155. However, given that first mobile device 120A, secondmobile device 120B, and third mobile device 120C can only receivetransmissions 155B if they are located within a distance A (the range ofthe transmission) from missing card 155, card locating tool 130 can usefirst location 170A, second location 170B, and third location 170C todetermine a range of possible locations 205 for missing card 155.

As seen in FIG. 2A, to determine the range of possible locations 205 formissing card 155, card locating tool 130 determines a circular regionaround each of first user 110A, second user 110B, and third user 110C,of radius A, Given that A corresponds to the farthest distance fromfirst mobile device 120A, second mobile device 120B, and third mobiledevice 120C for which the mobile devices are able to receivetransmission 155B, the circular region surrounding each of first user110A, second user 110B, and third user 110C, corresponds to the range ofpossible locations of missing card 155. The intersection region 205 ofthese circular regions thus corresponds to the range of possiblelocations of missing card 155. In certain embodiments, more than threeenabled mobile devices including first mobile device 120A, second mobiledevice 120B, and third mobile device 120C receive transmission 155B. Insuch embodiments, the additional enabled mobile devices also sendmessages to card locating tool 130 containing card identifier 165 andtheir GPS locations. Card locating tool 130 then uses this additionalinformation to narrow the range of possible locations 205 for missingcard 155.

In certain embodiments, less than three enabled mobile devices receivetransmission 155B from missing card 155. For example, only first mobiledevice 120A receives transmission 155B from missing card 155. In suchcase, card locating tool 130 sends fourth mobile device 115 the entirecircular region with radius A surrounding first mobile device 120A asthe range of possible locations for missing card 155.

FIG. 2B illustrates the methods by which missing card identificationcomponent 175 of card locating tool 130 determines a location 210 formissing card 155 in certain embodiments where first message 160Aadditionally contains a first strength of transmission 155B, secondmessage 160B additionally contains a second strength of transmission155B, and third message 160C additionally contains a third strength oftransmission 155B. In such embodiments, card locating tool 130 uses thestrengths of transmission 155B to determine the distances from each offirst mobile device 120A, second mobile device 120B, and third mobiledevice 120C to missing card 155. For example, card locating tool 130uses first strength of transmission 155B, measured by first mobiledevice 120A, to determine that missing card 155 is located a distance Bfrom first user 110A, and that missing card 155 is therefore locatedsomewhere along a first circle of radius B, centered on first user 110A.Card locating tool 130 further uses second strength of transmission155B, measured by second mobile device 120B, to determine that missingcard 155 is located a distance C from second user 110B, and that missingcard 155 is therefore also located somewhere along a second circle ofradius C, centered on second user 110B. Since first circle of radius B,centered on first user 110A, and second circle of radius C, centered onsecond user 110B, intersect at two points, this limits the possiblelocations for missing card 155 to these two points. Card location tool130 additionally uses third strength of transmission 155B, measured bythird mobile device 120C, to limit the location of missing card 155 to asingle location 210; card locating tool 130 uses second strength oftransmission 155B, measured by third mobile device 120C, to determinethat missing card 155 is located a distance D from third user 110C, andthat missing card 155 is therefore also located somewhere along a thirdcircle of radius D, centered on third user 110C. Since first circle ofradius B, centered on first user 110A, second circle of radius C,centered on second user 110B, and third circle of radius D, centered onthird user 110C, intersect at a single location 210, card locating tool130 sends location 210 to fourth mobile device 115, as the location formissing card 155.

In certain embodiments, if card locating tool 130 receives only firstmessage 160A from first mobile device 120A, it sends fourth mobiledevice 115 the entire boundary of the circle of radius B surroundingfirst mobile device 120A as the range of possible locations for missingcard 155. In further embodiments, if card locating tool 130 receivesonly first message 160A from first mobile device 120A and second message160B from second mobile device 120B, it sends two possible locations—theintersection points of a first circle of radius B centered on first user110A and a second circle of radius C centered on second user 110B—tofourth mobile device 115 as possible locations for missing card 155.

In certain embodiments, prior to using first location 170A, secondlocation 170B, and third location 170C, card locating tool 130 firstdetermines the times in which these locations were sent to it by themobile devices. For example, card locating tool 130 determines thatfirst mobile device 120A sent first message 160A containing firstlocation 170A at a first time, second mobile device 120B sent secondmessage 160B containing second location 170B at a second time, and thirdmobile device 120C sent third message 160C containing third location170C at a third time. Card locating tool 130 then determines that afirst difference between the first time and the second time is less thana set threshold, a second difference between the second time and thethird time is less than the set threshold, and a third differencebetween the first time and the third time is less than the setthreshold. Card locating tool 130 then determines the range of possiblelocations 205 or location 210 for missing card 155. This may bedesirable when missing card 155 is moving, in which case first location170A, second location 170B, and third location 170C likely will notprovide accurate locations 210 or ranges of location 205, unless theyare measured at approximately the same time.

FIG. 3 further illustrates the process by which card locating tool 130determines a location 210 or range of locations 205 for missing card155. In step 305, card locating tool 130 receives a notification 150from a card user 105 indicating that card user 105 is missing his/hercard 155. Card 155 is equipped with a transmitter 155A capable ofbroadcasting a transmission 155B consisting of a card identifierassigned to card 155.

This disclosure contemplates that transmitter 155A can be any type ofelectronic device, equipped with an antenna, and capable of generatingtransmission 155B. In certain embodiments, transmitter 155A is aradio-frequency identification (RFID) transmitter. In furtherembodiments, transmitter 155A is a Bluetooth transmitter. In certainembodiments, transmitter 155B is a passive transmitter, powered byelectromagnetic waves generated externally of the transmitter. Suchembodiments are described in further detail below, in the discussion ofFIGS. 4A and 4B. In further embodiments, transmitter 155B is an activetransmitter, powered by a power source within or coupled to transmitter155B, such than transmitter 155B can produce transmission 155Aautomatically.

In step 310, card locating tool 130 adds the card identifier assigned tocard 155 to a list of identifiers 145 stored in memory 140. In certainembodiments, for each identifier in the list of identifiers 145 memory140 also stores the identity of card user 105. In further embodiments,memory 140 also stores a list of all card users 105 and the identifiersassociated with their cards 155. In both cases, card locating tool 130uses the additional stored information to look up to which card user 105card 155 belongs, once card locating tool 130 has determined a location210 or range of locations 205 for card 155. In this manner, cardlocating tool 130 can determine to which card user 105 to send foundcard notification 185.

In step 315, card locating tool 130 receives a first message 160A from afirst mobile device 120A that is configured to receive transmissions155B, where first message 160A includes card identifier 165 broadcastedby transmitter 155A in transmission 155B and a first location 170A offirst mobile device 120A. In step 320, card locating tool 130 receives asecond message 160B from a second mobile device 120B that is alsoconfigured to receive transmissions 155B, where second message 160Bincludes card identifier 165 broadcasted by transmitter 155A intransmission 155B and a second location 170B of second mobile device120B. In step 325, card locating tool 130 receives a third message 160Cfrom a third mobile device 120C that is also configured to receivetransmissions 155B, where third message 160C includes card identifier165 broadcasted by transmitter 155A in transmission 155B and a thirdlocation 170C of third mobile device 120C. In certain embodiments, firstmessage 160A also includes a first strength of transmission 155B, secondmessage 160B also includes a second strength of transmission 155B, andthird message 160C also includes a third strength of transmission 155B.

In certain embodiments, after card locating tool 130 adds cardidentifier 165 assigned to card 155 to the list of identifiers 145, cardlocating tool 130 also transmits those card identifiers stored in thelist of missing card identifiers 145 to enabled mobile devices includingfirst mobile device 120A, second mobile device 120B, and third mobiledevice 120C. In such embodiments, when card locating tool 130 receivesfirst message 160A, second message 160B, and third message 160C, eachcontaining card identifier 165, card locating tool 130 performs missingcard identification 175, to determine to which missing card identifier,stored in the list of missing card identifiers 145, card identifier 165corresponds. By determining to which missing card identifier, stored inthe list of missing card identifiers 145, card identifier 165corresponds, card locating tool 130 is able to determine the card user105 for whom missing card 155 has been located.

In certain embodiments, card locating tool 130 only transmits missingcard identifiers, stored in the list of missing card identifiers 145, tothose enabled mobile devices, including first mobile device 120A, secondmobile device 120B, and third mobile device 120C, that are located inthe same geographic region as card user 105 was located when he/she losthis/her card 155. In certain such embodiments, card locating tool 130may increase the size of this geographic region if no enabled mobiledevices located within the initial geographic region receivetransmission 155B from missing card 155 within a set period of time. Forexample, the initial geographic region may consist of a circular regionof radius one mile from where card user 105 lost his/her card 155. If noenabled mobile devices, such as first mobile device 120A, second mobiledevice 120B, and/or third mobile device 120C, located within thisregion, are able to detect transmission 155B from missing card 155within fifteen minutes time, card locating tool may additionally sendthe identifier assigned to missing card 155 to all enabled mobiledevices located within the same city as user 105 was located when user105 lost his/her card 155. This may be desirable as it helps to conservesystem resources, by only sending missing card identifiers to thosemobile devices that are most likely within the transmission range ofmissing card 155.

In step 330, card locating tool 130 performs missing card identification175 to determine that card identifier 165 is among the card identifiersin the list of card identifiers 145 stored in memory 140. In certainembodiments, missing card identification 175 additionally involvesdetermining the card user 105 to whom missing card 155 belongs.

In step 335, card locating tool 130 uses first location 170A, secondlocation 170B, and third location 170C to determine a location 210 orrange of locations 205 for missing card 155. Card locating tool 130 mayonly determine a range of locations 205 for missing card 155 in thoseembodiments for which first message 160A, second message 160B, and thirdmessage 160C do not contain the strengths of transmission 155B measuredby first mobile device 120A, second mobile device 120B, and third mobiledevice 120C. Card locating tool 130 is able to determine a location 210for missing card 155 in those embodiments for which first message 160Aadditionally includes a first strength of transmission 155B at firstlocation 170A, second message 160B additionally includes a secondstrength of transmission 155B at second location 170B, and third message160C additionally includes a third strength of transmission 155B atthird location 170C.

Finally, in step 340, card locating tool 130 sends the location 210 orrange of locations 205 for missing card 155 to fourth mobile device 115belonging to card user 105 in found card notification 185.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 300depicted in FIG. 3. Method 300 may include more, fewer, or other steps.For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in any suitableorder. While discussed as card locating tool 130 (or components thereof)performing the steps, any suitable component of system 100, such asfirst mobile device(s) 120A, second mobile device(s) 120B, third mobiledevice(s) 120C, and/or fourth mobile device(s) 115, for example, mayperform one or more steps of the method.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the method by which, in certain embodiments,a missing card 155 produces transmission 155 containing identifier 165.Such embodiments correspond to cards 155 equipped with passivetransmitters 155A, powered by electromagnetic waves generated externallyof the transmitter 155A. However, this disclosure also contemplatescards 155 equipped with active transmitters 155B, powered by a powersource within or coupled to transmitters 155B, such than transmitters155B can produce transmissions 155A automatically

As seen in FIG. 4A, mobile device 120 generates electromagnetic waves430. When mobile device 120 is within a certain range of missing card155, electromagnetic waves 430 are able to induce a magnetic field intransmitter 155A of sufficient strength to power transmitter 155A, whichthen broadcasts transmission 155B using antenna 425.

FIG. 4B further illustrates this process. In step 405, mobile device 120emits electromagnetic waves 120. In step 410, electromagnetic waves 430induce a magnetic field in transmitter 155A of missing card 155. In step415, mobile device 120 is sufficiently close to missing card 155, suchthat the induced magnetic field is strong enough to power transmission155B. Finally, in step 420, missing card 155 broadcasts transmission155B containing card identifier 165, using antenna 425.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 400depicted in FIG. 4. Method 400 may include more, fewer, or other steps.For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in any suitableorder. While discussed as card locating tool 130 (or components thereof)performing the steps, any suitable component of system 100, such asfirst mobile device(s) 120A, second mobile device(s) 120B, third mobiledevice(s) 120C, and/or fourth mobile device(s) 115, for example, mayperform one or more steps of the method.

FIG. 5 illustrates the process by which card locating tool 130 is ableto request and receive assistance in locating a missing card 155, from afirst mobile device 120A near missing card 155. In step 505, cardlocating tool 130 receives a first message 160A from a first mobiledevice 120A configured to receive a transmission 155B from a missingcard 155, the first message 160A including a card identifier 165extracted from transmission 155B and a first location 170A of firstmobile device 120A. In step 510, card locating tool 130 sends a requestto a first user 110A of first mobile device 120A seeking his/herassistance in locating missing card 155. In step 515, card locating tool130 receives a response from first user 110A indicating that first user110A is willing to help locate missing card 155. In step 520, missingcard locator 130 sends a map with a set of locations marked on it tofirst mobile device 120A, along with a message requesting that firstuser 120A travel to each of the marked locations.

In step 525, card locating tool 130 receives messages from first mobiledevice 120A, when first mobile device 120A is located at each of themarked locations. These messages indicate whether or not first mobiledevice 120A received transmission 155B from missing card 155 at themarked locations. In step 530, card locating tool 130 uses thesemessages and the marked locations to determine a location 210 or rangeof locations 205 for missing card 155. Finally, in step 535, cardlocating tool 130 sends the location 210 or range of locations 205 formissing card 155 to fourth mobile device 115 belonging to card user 105.

This method may be desirable for those situations in which only oneenabled mobile device (first mobile device 120A), receives transmission155B from missing card 155. Rather than sending card user 105 the entirecircular region of possible locations for missing card 155, cardlocating tool 130 can narrow the region of possible locations formissing card 155 with the assistance of first user 110A.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 500depicted in FIG. 5. Method 500 may include more, fewer, or other steps.For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in any suitableorder. While discussed as card locating tool 130 (or components thereof)performing the steps, any suitable component of system 100, such asfirst mobile device(s) 120A, second mobile device(s) 120B, third mobiledevice(s) 120C, and/or fourth mobile device(s) 115, for example, mayperform one or more steps of the method.

Although the present disclosure includes several embodiments, a myriadof changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modificationsmay be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that thepresent disclosure encompass such changes, variations, alterations,transformations, and modifications as falling within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a memory configured tostore a list of identifiers; and a hardware processor communicativelycoupled to the memory, the hardware processor configured to: receive anotification from a card user, the notification indicating that the carduser is missing a card comprising a transmitter configured to broadcasta transmission comprising a card identifier; add the card identifier tothe list of identifiers; receive a first message from a first mobiledevice that received the transmission, the first message comprising thecard identifier from the transmission and a first location of the firstmobile device; receive a second message from a second mobile device thatreceived the transmission, the second message comprising the cardidentifier from the transmission and a second location of the secondmobile device; in response to receiving the first message and the secondmessage: determine that the list of identifiers contains the cardidentifier; determine, based on the first location and the secondlocation, a location of the card; and send the location of the card to athird mobile device of the card user.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein: the first mobile device and the second mobile device areconfigured to broadcast electromagnetic waves; and the transmitter isfurther configured to broadcast the transmission when the transmitter iswithin a set distance from any of the first mobile device and the secondmobile device, wherein the set distance is an outer extent of a rangewithin which the electromagnetic waves broadcasted by any of the firstmobile device and the second mobile device produce a magnetic fieldwithin the transmitter of a sufficient strength to power thetransmission.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first messagefurther comprises a first strength of the transmission and the secondmessage further comprises a second strength of the transmission, and thedetermination of the location of the card is further based on the firststrength and the second strength.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe hardware processor is further configured to: determine, based on thefirst location and a known transmission range, a circular range oflocations of the card; and send the circular range to the third mobiledevice of the card user.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thehardware processor is further configured to: determine that the firstmessage was sent at a first time; determine that the second message wassent at a second time; determine that a first difference between thefirst time and the second time is less than a set threshold; and thedetermination, based on the first location and the second location, ofthe location of the card is performed in response to determining thatthe first difference is less than the set threshold.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to send a requestto a first user of the first mobile device seeking the first user'sassistance in locating the card.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe hardware processor is further configured to: receive a response fromthe first user of the first mobile device indicating the first user iswilling to help locate the card; and in response to receiving theresponse from the first user, send a map and a message to the firstmobile device, the map comprising a set of locations, and the messagerequesting that the first user travel to each of the locations of theset of locations.
 8. A method comprising: receiving a notification froma card user, the notification indicating that the card user is missing acard comprising a transmitter configured to broadcast a transmissioncomprising a card identifier; adding the card identifier to a list ofidentifiers stored in a memory; receiving a first message from a firstmobile device that received the transmission, the first messagecomprising the card identifier from the transmission and a firstlocation of the first mobile device; receiving a second message from asecond mobile device that received the transmission, the second messagecomprising the card identifier from the transmission and a secondlocation of the second mobile device; in response to receiving the firstmessage and the second message: determining that the list of identifierscontains the card identifier; determining, based on the first locationand the second location, a location of the card; and sending thelocation of the card to a third mobile device of the card user.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein: the first mobile device and the secondmobile device are configured to broadcast electromagnetic waves; and thetransmitter is further configured to broadcast the transmission when thetransmitter is within a set distance from any of the first mobile deviceand the second mobile device, wherein the set distance is an outerextent of a range within which the electromagnetic waves broadcasted byany of the first mobile device and the second mobile device produce amagnetic field within the transmitter of a sufficient strength to powerthe transmission.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first messagefurther comprises a first strength of the transmission and the secondmessage further comprises a second strength of the transmission, and thedetermination of the location of the card is further based on the firststrength and the second strength.
 11. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: determining, based on the first location and a knowntransmission range, a circular range of locations of the card; andsending the circular range to the third mobile device of the card user.12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining that thefirst message was sent at a first time; determining that the secondmessage was sent at a second time; determining that a first differencebetween the first time and the second time is less than a set threshold;and the process of determining, based on the first location and thesecond location, the location of the card is performed in response todetermining that the first difference is less than the set threshold.13. The method of claim 8, further comprising sending a request to afirst user of the first mobile device seeking the first user'sassistance in locating the card.
 14. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: receiving a response from the first user of the first mobiledevice indicating the first user is willing to help locate the card; andin response to receiving the response from the first user, sending a mapand a message to the first mobile device, the map comprising a set oflocations, and the message requesting that the first user travel to eachof the locations of the set of locations.
 15. A system comprising: astorage element operable to store a list of identifiers; and aprocessing element communicatively coupled to the storage element, theprocessing element operable to: receive a notification from a card user,the notification indicating that the card user is missing a cardcomprising a transmitter configured to broadcast a transmissioncomprising a card identifier; add the card identifier to the list ofidentifiers; receive a first message from a first mobile device thatreceived the transmission, the first message comprising the cardidentifier from the transmission, a first strength of the transmission,and a first location of the first mobile device; receive a secondmessage from a second mobile device that received the transmission, thesecond message comprising the card identifier from the transmission, asecond strength of the transmission, and a second location of the secondmobile device; in response to receiving the first message and the secondmessage: determine that the list of identifiers contains the cardidentifier; determine, based on the first location and the secondlocation, the first strength and the second strength, a location of thecard; and send the location of the card to a third mobile device of thecard user.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein: the first mobile deviceand the second mobile device are configured to broadcast electromagneticwaves; and the transmitter is further configured to broadcast thetransmission when the transmitter is within a set distance from any ofthe first mobile device and the second mobile device, wherein the setdistance is an outer extent of a range within which the electromagneticwaves broadcasted by any of the first mobile device and the secondmobile device produce a magnetic field within the transmitter of asufficient strength to power the transmission.
 17. The system of claim15, wherein the processing element is further operable to: determine,based on the first location and a known transmission range, a circularrange of locations of the card; and send the circular range to the thirdmobile device of the card user.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein theprocessing element is further operable to: determine that the firstmessage was sent at a first time; determine that the second message wassent at a second time; determine that a first difference between thefirst time and the second time is less than a set threshold; and thedetermination, based on the first location and the second location, ofthe location of the card is performed in response to determining thatthe first difference is less than the set threshold.
 19. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the processing element is further operable to send arequest to a first user of the first mobile device seeking the firstuser's assistance in locating the card.
 20. The system of claim 19,wherein the processing element is further operable to: receive aresponse from the first user of the first mobile device indicating thefirst user is willing to help locate the card; and in response toreceiving the response from the first user, send a map and a message tothe first mobile device, the map comprising a set of locations, and themessage requesting that the first user travel to each of the locationsof the set of locations.